How do I handle filing this year's taxes when last year's amended return (1040-X) is still processing?

I'm in a weird situation and hoping someone can help me out. Last year I noticed I'd overpaid on my taxes by a decent amount (about $1,800), so I filed a 1040-X amended return to get that money back. The IRS received it on August 17, 2024, and it's literally been sitting in limbo ever since. I've called them like 5 different times over the past few months, and every time I just get the standard "please continue to wait" response. Nobody can tell me anything useful about why it's taking so long. My question is - what the heck do I do about filing this year's taxes when my amended return from last year still hasn't been processed? Do I file based on my original return amounts or the amended amounts? Will this cause problems with my new return? I'm getting anxious as tax season approaches and really don't want to mess anything else up.

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19 comments

Chad Winthrope

•8M

You're dealing with a common frustration, but don't worry too much. When filing this year's taxes, you should use the figures from your ORIGINAL return (not the amended one) as your starting point. The IRS processes current year returns and amended returns on completely separate tracks. Your new tax return won't be affected by the pending amended return from last year. Just file normally using your current year information. For what it's worth, amended returns (1040-X) are typically taking 6-8 months or longer to process right now. The IRS is still working through significant backlogs from previous years. If your amended return is eventually processed and you receive your refund after filing this year's taxes, that money isn't taxable income - it's simply a refund of taxes you previously overpaid.

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Chad Winthrope

•8M

You should definitely file your current year return normally without waiting for the amended return to be processed. The two are handled completely separately by the IRS. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to expedite an amended return. The "Where's My Amended Return" tool on the IRS website can give basic status updates, but calling is actually your best option, which you've already been doing. If it's been more than 16 weeks (which it has in your case), you could try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service, though they're also overloaded with cases and may not take it unless there's a financial hardship.

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Paige Cantoni

•8M

I went through this exact headache last year with my amended return for a missing business expense deduction on Schedule C. After months of waiting, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer for tracking my amended return status and understanding what was happening. The site analyzed my case and showed me exactly where my 1040-X was in the processing queue. Turns out there was a specific reason for the delay that the phone reps never mentioned. The tool also gave me the exact language to use when calling the IRS that finally got me real answers instead of the generic "keep waiting" response. They have a specific feature for tracking amended returns that I found super helpful, plus it predicted (almost to the week!) when my return would finally process.

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Paige Cantoni

•8M

It absolutely works for amended returns. Unlike the basic IRS tool that only shows those 3 general statuses, taxr.ai analyzes the specific codes and processing patterns to give you much more detailed information. It helped me understand I was stuck in a specific verification queue that explained my delay. The site doesn't access any information that IRS agents can't see - it uses a combination of AI analysis of tax transcripts and historical processing data to give you insights. What I found most helpful was that it showed me exactly what questions to ask when I called the IRS. When I used their suggested language, suddenly the agent was able to give me specifics instead of generic responses. It's really about knowing how to navigate the system.

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Nina Fitzgerald

•8M

I've got to admit I was super skeptical about taxr.ai when I first saw it mentioned here, but I was desperate about my amended return situation so I gave it a try. Wow, I'm actually shocked at how helpful it was. The site showed me exactly which processing center had my 1040-X and identified that it was flagged for a specific review (something about a mismatch between my reported income and what they had on file). The best part was they gave me specific questions to ask when calling the IRS. When I called using their suggested script, the agent immediately gave me actual details about my case instead of the "just wait" response I'd been getting for months. My amended return was finally processed last week - after 7 months of waiting!

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Jason Brewer

•8M

For anyone dealing with amended return delays, I was in the same boat and nearly lost my mind trying to get through to the IRS. After 9 attempts where I couldn't even get past the automated system, I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and it was a total lifesaver. They basically get you past the IRS phone tree and secure your place in line so you actually get to speak to a human. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was connected to an actual IRS agent in about 25 minutes instead of spending hours redialing or getting disconnected. The agent was able to look up my 1040-X and tell me exactly why it was delayed (missing a form) and what I needed to do to move it forward. Without that call, my amended return would still be sitting there unprocessed.

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Jason Brewer

•8M

They don't talk to the IRS for you at all. The service navigates the phone tree and waits on hold, then when an agent is about to pick up, it calls your phone and connects you directly. You do the actual talking with the IRS agent yourself, so there are no privacy concerns. It's definitely not a scam - it's just a smart system that deals with the hold times and navigation for you. Think of it like having someone wait in a physical line for you, then they text you when you're almost at the front so you can take your place. The IRS phone system is absolutely awful, but this service has figured out the patterns and timing to get through more efficiently than we can on our own.

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Liam Cortez

•8M

I have to eat my words about Claimyr being a scam. After my amended return sat for 8 months with zero updates, I was desperate enough to try anything. I used the service yesterday and got connected to an IRS agent in about a half hour. Turns out my amended return had a simple issue they needed to verify, but nobody had ever contacted me about it. The agent was able to fix it right on the call and told me my refund should be processed within 2-3 weeks. Without exaggeration, I spent at least 15 hours over the past few months trying to get through to the IRS on my own without success. This service saved me from completely losing my mind, and now my amended return is finally moving forward!

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Savannah Vin

•8M

Pro tip from someone who works with taxes: Amended returns are processed manually and are lowest priority for the IRS. If you're expecting a refund from your amended return, NEVER count on that money coming anytime soon. My honest advice - file this year's return normally using your original prior year info, and consider the amendment refund as a future bonus whenever it finally comes through. The worst thing you can do is delay filing this year's return while waiting for last year's amendment to process.

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Savannah Vin

•8M

Filing early is always advantageous, especially in your situation. The earlier you file, the earlier your current return will be processed. There's also less chance of identity theft issues if you get your return in before potential fraudsters. Plus, the IRS tends to process early season returns faster than those submitted closer to the deadline when they get swamped. Just make sure you have all your documentation complete and accurate before submitting - rushing and making errors will only create more problems.

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